Overcoming Objections to Veganism

When you introduce yourself as a vegan, you'll either be met with mutters of support, questions why, or objections. The more progressive the area you live in the more support you are likely to receive! However, wherever you are you will always run into a few objections, even if it's a “That's great, good for you, but what are canine teeth for?”

From my experience objection fall into one of three categories:

Number One: The Absurd!

“If a lion was attacking you, and you had a gun, does being a vegan mean you can't shoot it?” Yes, I was on the receiving end of this one.

As fate would have it I was in a car with three colleagues heading over to the mall one lunch break. “Humm, that's quite a dilemma,” I replied, “and you do bring up a good point, but I must concede, I'd have to defend myself.” I paused a moment to let his satisfaction sink in. “However, I think at Taco Bell, it's more likely your meal was attacked by a slaughterhouse worker, than I will be by a lion.”

Number Two: The Scientist

It's strange how many people suddenly have a PhD in nutrition or evolutionary biology when they find out your vegan. I've always found these objections a little strange, as to insinuate that I'm not intelligent enough to make proper food choices is insulting. Remember, this is just a defense mechanism. The person you are speaking to knows, even if it's only subconsciously, that hundreds of animals die each year because of their choices, so they need to rationalize this with science, all be it bad science.

The easiest and most aggressive way to defend against this is to ask, “Do I seem unhealthy to you?” “No?” “And how many animals died because of me last year?” This will probably illicit another stupid response and cause an argument that will win you no support.

A very basic way to help sell your point of view in any situation is acknowledge and overcome:

Acknowledge the validity of the the other persons perspective, because we all like to be respected, and no one likes to feel like an idiot.

Overcome, because there is always a better reason to be vegan!

“Veganism is crazy you can never get enough protein!”

Acknowledge: “I can see why you'd think that, meat is packed full of protein.”

Overcome: “Some of the worlds top athletes are vegan, beans are packed full of protein, have no cholesterol and plenty of fiber.”

Even better, invite them for a run and kick their ass!

Number Three: The Ethicist

The Ethicist is the one who will argue that by being vegan we are terrible people. These are the rarest of objectors, but the nastiest.

Let's remind people that regardless of how “crazy” we may seem being vegan is a completely benign act. People don't choose to become vegan because they hate the earth or don't care for the environment. It's madness to say that the choice to become vegan is somehow selfish. It's a selfless act in that it restricts our options. Now before you object wildly and say that it's exposed you to so many new foods and has given you better health, there's no reason why you couldn't have done this while eating meat once a month, or putting a little cheese on your pasta.

Yes, we do have these benefits, but as ethical vegans we have not made this choice for our palate, we have made this choice so that our existence is a sustainable one that causes the least amount of suffering possible. We have made this choice so that there will be enough food for all of the children in this world, we have made this choice to reduce our environmental footprint, so that life itself can continue to flourish and our fellow earthlings will not be slaughtered!

“Oh really?” says the Ethicist, “So, you think that because you chose the veggie burger you're so righteous?”

Calm down, take deep breaths :)

Acknowledge! “Yes, it's a very simple choice, and of course I'm no better than you – in fact I think this if anything you're better than me!” (fingers crossed behind my back.)

Overcome! “Since it takes up to 16 pounds of feed to make one pound of meat, there's much less land usage and fewer resources used to create the veggie burger, so I'm just trying to play my little part and be good.”

Still feeling malicious the Ethicist responds: “You neglect to realize that some areas can only support livestock as the soil isn't good enough to grow crops, so while my meat is local, your precious vegetables are being flown in from half way around the world!”

I never really understand the zeal some people show when trolling veganism. Were you attacked by a vegan as a child? I bet a heck of a lot more cows have been attacked by Ronald McDonald – but let's not go there.

Acknowledge: “Absolutely, the soil is very poor in some areas, and it's fantastic your are eating locally produced food, if more people were like that, I'm convinced the world would be a much better place.”

Overcome: “Over three quarters of cattle in the US are grain fed, wouldn't it be fantastic if we could use that grain to feed humans instead and return the land to nature, and as much as I support local production, there is quite a problem with the high levels of methane produced by grass fed cattle...have you ever tried a veggie burger, they taste pretty good these days!”

The trick is to keep being nice to them until they can't help but be nice back! Smile, be nice, acknowledge, overcome and the world will be ours!!

Remember...

Acknowledge the validity of the the other persons perspective, because we all like to be respected, and no one likes to feel like an idiot.

Overcome, because there is always a better reason to be vegan!